Children's Home run by Footsteps a Path to Change Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC446261 Inspector Ruth Loughridge Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Footsteps A Path To Change 08 Limited Registered person address 8 Alderley Close Hazel Grove STOCKPORT Cheshire SK7 6BS Responsible individual Lesley Jane Hearne Registered manager Gareth John Dawson Date of last inspection 29/10/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 26/02/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

The home continues to be effectively managed by a Registered Manager who is committed to ongoing improvement. A newly appointed assistant manager supports his role. This provides the Registered Manager with the opportunity to increase his focus upon the development and improvement of the service whilst maintaining positive relationships with young people, and a detailed knowledge and understanding of their needs.

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This inspection

For some young people their behaviour settles, they no longer go missing and risks to them are reduced. Other young people who struggle to manage very strong emotions are well supported. Collaborative working with a range of professionals, including health professionals, ensures that appropriate assessments are secured.

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This inspection

Serious incidents that occur are notified to relevant parties, including Ofsted. The home ensures a robust response to any incidents which include strategies to prevent recurrence and protect young people. The support that young people receive means that the likelihood of reoccurrence is reduced. Since the last inspection, the role of the home's psychologist has strengthened practice. Guidance and support for staff, from the psychologist, has enhanced their capacity to understand and support young people’s emotional and behavioural difficulties. As a result, reflections upon triggers for behaviour are explored in greater depth, and creative measures to reassure young people are implemented.

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This inspection

After careful and considered assessment, and agreement with placing social workers, some young people enjoy overnight stays with friends. This demonstrates the home’s commitment to ensuring that young people can take part in age appropriate peer activities as would reasonably be allowed by parents. The stability and security that young people experience at this home, and the commitment of the staff team, mean that young people feel confident and prepared 3 of 5 to make the move to independent living. One young person said that the best thing about the home is, ‘Staff being there to support me when I need them. They have taught me how to fend for myself and look after myself and what is right and what is wrong and what is age appropriate and what’s not age appropriate, what’s good and what’s bad. I have learned that if I need to say something just open up and tell someone. I give the home 10/10 – it’s just like a family.’

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This inspection

There is a particular focus upon ensuring that young people leave the home with certificates and qualifications. Therefore, even when young people struggle to fully engage with education they develop a portfolio of their achievements that are formally recognised and accredited. For example, the participation of one young person, in interviews for new staff, has contributed to his ‘certificate of personal effectiveness’. Since the last inspection, the range of opportunities for young people to gain awards has grown. This means that they are better placed to secure entry to further education, and their employment prospects are enhanced. Working co- operatively with other agencies, plans are in place to further develop learning opportunities for young people.

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This inspection

Regular monitoring by an independent person is improvement focused. However, monitoring reports do not routinely demonstrate efforts to consult with placing social workers. This limits the opportunity for external parties to express their views on the home, and for the Registered Manager to learn from feedback that would be provided.

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This inspection

One requirement, made at the last inspection, has been met. This related to ensuring clarity about why the statement of purpose is not published on the home’s website. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

The children's home accommodates three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is privately owned and is one of three children's homes operated by the provider. The home can accommodate young people with physical disabilities if their primary need is emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/10/2014 Full good 30/01/2014 Interim good progress 16/10/2013 Full good 06/03/2013 Interim good progress

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the independent person, shall interview, children accommodated , their parents, relatives and persons working at the children’s home as appears necessary in order to form an opinion as to whether children accommodated at the children’s home are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the children’s home promotes the wellbeing of the children accommodated there (Regulation 33 (8) (a)). 31/03/2015 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Reg. Requirement Due date

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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